HELP! Custom case back?

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lindsm21

·Jul 17, 2023

My father-in-law has been fighting stage 4 cancer and is nearing the end of his life. He wants to gift his sons (my husband and brother-in-law) a nice watch with an engraved case back that has “I love you. - Dad” or something similar. We spoke with an Omega retailer, and he said it’s very difficult to engrave the back of an Omega due to the engraved logo.

I’ve scoured the internet and this forum, and I came across custom case backs. Are there any blank/custom case backs that are compatible with Omega? So far I’ve only seen the clear sapphire case backs, and obviously that won’t work for engraving.

My father-in-law isn’t expected to make it much longer, so I’d love any tips/advice/recommendations on how to make this happen! Thank you in advance!

 

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Dan S

·Jul 17, 2023

I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL, and I'm sure his sons will treasure this gift.

I think that there is usually room for a small engraving on the back of most watches. Maybe not a big bold engraving over the whole back, but more often around the outer edge. Even watches with display backs can be engraved around the metal edge of the window.

Can you tell us which Omega model(s) you asked the retailer about.

 

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lindsm21

·Jul 17, 2023

Dan S

I'm so sorry to hear about your FIL, and I'm sure his sons will treasure this gift.

I think that there is usually room for a small engraving on the back of most watches. Maybe not a big bold engraving over the whole back, but more often around the outer edge. Even watches with display backs can be engraved around the metal edge of the window.

Can you tell us which Omega model(s) you asked the retailer about.

Thank you so much for your kind response! My SIL and I don’t know much at all about watches, and the retailer just said that generally Omega watches are hard to engrave. Some of the models we’ve looked at are:
• Speedmaster Chronoscope Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 43 MM
• Constellation Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer 39 MM
• De Ville Prestige Co-Axial Master Chronometer Power Reserve 41 MM
•Speedmaster ‘57 Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 40.5 MM

Thank you for your help - it’s so appreciated!

 

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pdxleaf

·Jul 17, 2023·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

This might work but you'd have to buy them used as they are sold out. But it has room

We'll keep looking

 

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pdxleaf

·Jul 17, 2023·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

You could inscribe around the edge of these and they are available

 

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pdxleaf

·Jul 17, 2023·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

All your choices are great. Engravings around the outer ring.

Your father-in-law has a strong spirit. Strong enough to touch all of us here and now.

 

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JimInOz

·Jul 18, 2023·Melbourne Australia

Traditional engraving (with a hand graver) or "mall jeweller" engraving with a vibro-pen will not give a nice result.
Even pantograph engraving will be difficult if it'd to be in a circular format.
Best to find somebody who does laser engraving and discuss the project with them.

On an aside, I personally don't think engraving is required. If my Dad gave me a special watch, I'd never forget it and never let it go.

 

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Evitzee

·Jul 18, 2023

The art of engraving is mostly lost, very few jewelers have access to a good engraver anymore. I don't think engraving is needed to make a watch special.

 

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Dan S

·Jul 18, 2023

Many thanks @pdxleaf for illustrating what I meant by engraving around the edge. I think that would be very appropriate for a short message.

@JimInOz makes a good point about finding an expert custom engraver to make sure that the personalization looks professional, especially in the circular format. I've seen some good examples, so I know it's possible. Unfortunately, I've also seen some really poor quality engraving. You want someone who is skilled and who pays attention to detail. Laser engraving is definitely an option.

 

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pete_mcc

·Jul 20, 2023

An alternative is to engrave the bracelet clasp. Used to be a very popular place for personal engraving as it’s far more visible.